The editor of our print journal, Maria Fanning, submitted this article about the latest issue, a special issue devote to The Future of
Numismatic Literature. -Editor
The Asylum Special Issue: The Future of Numismatic Literature
By Maria Fanning, Editor
Since entering the world of numismatic literature I have heard various opinions on what its future might be—some very optimistic and others
wary of the direction it seems to be headed. Since becoming the editor of The Asylum I have had more discussions with passionate NBS members
and have asked several from various aspects of the field to share their thoughts on the future of numismatic literature for this special issue. I
have attempted to include as many viewpoints as possible, asking collectors, researchers, librarians, authors and booksellers to share their opinions
on where numismatic books fit into our changing world.
While digital media is growing at an ever-expanding rate, the value of artisan, hand-crafted and vintage objects also increases. Where
does that leave collectors and students of history like us? Does the digital world eclipse artifacts from our past or does it help to
enhance our understanding of history? Will open access to obscure information increase interest in numismatic books and catalogues or
render them worthless?
The struggle is evident in the greater world as well, as laws defining copyright and piracy are debated and artists and podcasters
create careers by giving their work away for free. Students have more access to information than ever through use of the internet in their
classrooms while teachers place historical artifacts and original source material in their students’ hands to forge a connection with the
past.
My hope is that this issue will be a starting point for fine-tuning our approach to the new global environment and encouraging more open
discussion of the advantages and dangers of the use of new technologies in collecting and researching. Of one thing I am certain—everyone
who has an opinion about the future of numismatic literature cares very deeply about sustaining it and has made the preservation of history
a priority in their hearts.
The Asylum Table of Contents
Special Issue: The Future of Numismatic Literature
Autumn 2016
NBS Symposium and Annual Meeting Report by Joel J. Orosz
Printed or Electronic Books: Each Holds Advantages for Research by David Hill
Lawrenceville or Louisville? by Joel J. Orosz
Future Boy Modernizes Numismatics by Wayne Homren
Thoughts on Writing a Print Media Book in a Digital World by Neil Musante
A Dying Profession? by Charles Davis
Slicing the Bibliophilic Landscape by Len Augsberger
The Economics of Numismatic Literature and Research by David F. Fanning
A Positive Future for Numismatic Literature by Elizabeth Hahn Benge
Aspects of Numismatic Literature Digitization by Dan Hamelberg
History in Your Hands Foundation: A new approach to teaching history by Shanna Berk Schmidt
Remember, while The E-Sylum is free to all, only paid members of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society receive our print journal,
The Asylum. Print/Digital membership is $40 to addresses in the U.S., and $75 elsewhere. A digital-only membership is available
for $25.
My hardcopy arrived in the mail yesterday. It looks great! The picture Maria found for my article is priceless! I read a couple articles,
but most of my spare time on weekends is devoted to The E-Sylum. I'll finish it Monday. -Editor
To join NBS or renew your annual membership, see:
www.coinbooks.org/about/membership.html
Wayne Homren, Editor
The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization
promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.
To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor
at this address: whomren@gmail.com
To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum
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